In early January, a snared calf was reported at the Hildana Lodge waterhole. A wire was cinched tightly around his neck, slicing deep into the skin. The SWT/KWS Southern Mobile Vet Unit immediately mobilised, but he was moving within a large herd and was impossible to dart. We continued scouring the area, both on the ground and from the air, but he disappeared.

Two weeks later, we had a breakthrough: The calf had returned to the Hildana waterhole. The Southern Vet Unit was already in the midst of another elephant treatment, and as soon as it concluded, we flew them to the scene. Dr Lawi darted the patient from the SWT helicopter, along with his mother — who would never have left her baby’s side and needed to be immobilised to allow treatment.

The wire had become completely embedded in the calf’s neck, causing unimaginable, 360-degree pain. Without intervention, there could have been only one outcome — a torturous and tragic end for this young calf.

The team removed the snare and treated the wound with long-acting antibiotics and pain relief. Despite the severity of his injury, Dr Lawi is confident the calf will make a full recovery. Most importantly, he will heal in the wild, alongside his mother.

An elephant can live for 60 to 70 years or more. The cruelty of poaching threatened all that lay ahead for this little calf. Now, he has his life back.

Our thanks to Taita Sanctuary scouts for supporting this treatment.